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Incident
Deputy Sheriff John Collette died after suffering a medical emergency while searching a passenger train in Vergennes for a hit-and-run suspect.
He caught the subject hiding in a baggage car and was escorting him into the railroad station when he suddenly collapsed. During the confusion, the prisoner escaped but was captured the following day in Burlington.
Deputy Collette was survived by his wife, son, and two daughters.
Survivors
Deputy Collette was survived by his wife, son, and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Collette served with the Addison County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Middlebury community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Collette.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
Addison County Sheriff's Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to illness.
John is one of 4 officers lost to illness in VT, 12.9% of the 31 remembered there.
John is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 2,979 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1932, 3 officers in the United States were lost to illness, the 33rd heaviest of 108 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 564.
In 1932, 7 officers worldwide were lost to illness, the 75th heaviest of 197 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 566.
Who
John was 46. Of the 1,996 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51.
John was 46. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49.
When
July holds 7% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Sundays: 14.2%.
July holds 7.3% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Sundays: 13.2%.
How
Illness deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Addison County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 12.9% of all 31 deaths in VT, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause.
His people
Addison County Sheriff's Department has 2 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 13-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Addison County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
